Isn’t it so like us… we have it all and yet we want more.  I know I’ve been guilty of that at times.  The eyes of green, the envy of more...  Even Adam and Eve fell victim to this desire with the temptation of luscious forbidden fruit.  Sometimes we’re just not satisfied with what we already have… because we need just a little more to feel complete.  Even the “rich and famous” will tell you that, if they’re honest. We want it all, and we want it now!  The longing to have that little bit extra can be insatiable… we never feel fully satisfied… we just need a little something else, a little something more, thinking we’ll be happy then…  Right?  Wrong!

That continuous search for pleasure, for things, for little trinkets is a dynamic within that keeps moving us forward… in search of bigger pleasures, and more and bigger things… like the phrase, “The one with the most toys wins!”  We seem to think that if we find the best life has to offer, we’ll find that envied state of perpetual happiness.  Then we will feel really good about ourselves.  We’ll have “arrived” in society, and we’ll be admired and loved by everyone around us.

But that is so not where life is truly at! That’s the treadmill of a never-ending rat race! So, where and how do we find true happiness, a true inner joy? 

Seeking more is not necessarily a bad concept in and of itself.  Often, seeking more can push us forward to better ourselves with an education for a lifetime career, and as we seek to meet more of our family’s needs.  The desire for more can even be the impetus to starting our own company, or meeting the needs of others with our ideas or inventions.  For me, a love of writing and researching of my mom’s family ancestry led me to become a published genealogy author of three in-depth family research articles in the “New York Genealogy and Biographical Record.”  Later, the desire to write more led to writing articles for our former “The Broader View” local weekly newspaper, and ultimately to writing two blogs online, including at the “Twin Tiers Living.”  Just because it gives me pleasure to write… all non gratis.

For it’s what and why we seek that makes the difference.  If that which we seek is found only in material goods and the best of life’s pleasure, then we’re heading down the wrong path.  But, if we seek to honor our Lord God in all we do, there we will find His blessings of peace and contentment... regardless of our circumstances.  The Apostle Paul expressed it well in Philippians 4:11-13 “…for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.  I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty.  I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.  I can do everything through him who gives me strength.”

Yet, I know that’s simply not always easy.  It’s a tough lesson to learn at times.  Be content, be satisfied with what you have.  Be happy with the blessings God has given you… in your health, your family, your job, your home, and your personal possessions.  Certainly, you have the right and ability to acquire and improve your situation, but don’t make these things your everything. Don’t hold onto them so very tightly. 

I remember hearing Chuck (Charles) Swindoll in a radio sermon use an example from my favorite evangelist, Corrie ten Boom.  She made quite an impact on him, and me, about holding everything loosely in referring to his love of his children.  As Chuck said, “Cupping her wrinkled hands in front of me, she passed on a statement of advice I'll never forget.  I can still recall that strong Dutch accent:  ‘Pastor Svendahl, you must learn to hold everyting loosely… everyting.  Even your dear family.  Why?  Because da Fater may vish to take vun of tem back to Himself, und ven He does, it vill hurt you if He must pry your fingers loose.’  And then, having tightened her hands together while saying all that, she slowly opened them and smiled so kindly as she added, "Remember… hold everyting loosely… everyting.’” 

Our desire for all, for everything, can truly only be found in our Lord… in His gift of eternal salvation… His love, His forgiveness of our sins, and in His peace.  Romans 3:23 makes it clear that we “…all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”  Yet, there is hope.  As one of my favorite verses since childhood notes, “God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16) And in seeking Him, we’ll find an overwhelming peace to know “there is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."  (Romans 8:1)

And in this we find our all as we rest in the peace of His blessings.

Eden’s Couple

Linda A. Roorda  

They had it all but still wanted more

Though in the garden was all they would need.

And yet intrigued they listened to greed

His words seemed wise, they reasoned to self.

Forbidden fruit is lush to the eye

For yearnings within do cravings beget.

As they control, resolve is forgot

And self-serving wants are justified needs.

But after the deed their conscience was pierced

For now their God came seeking their time.

While concealed from view afraid to come forth

Their eyes were opened, and ashamed they hid.

Yet their deeds He knew, and depths of their hearts.

His chastening words showed Fatherly love.

With discipline stern and promises pledged

He sent them away to life cursed with toil.

He vowed to redeem souls from destruction

For One would be born to this world of woe.

His Son the gift to take the world’s sin

That righteous we’ll stand before His great throne.

How can it be His love would compel

Payment for sin by One who knew none?

How can He love the me who I am

When I’m no better than Eden’s couple?

Yet with open arms like a Shepherd King

He draws me near for He knows my heart.

And with contrition I give Him my life

As mercy and grace flow freely with love.

~~